Hello there. I'm Bryan Gruver, and this is a look at the technology I use to build accessible apps and create content. I use old hardware because I'm patient. I buy unlocked phones so I'm not stuck on a carrier. I own my stuff.
📱 My Phones
I use two iPhone 12 mini devices:
- One cherry red iPhone 12 mini, 64GB, unlocked
- One black iPhone 12 mini, 128GB, unlocked
Why two iPhone 12 minis? They have very decent cameras, and being blind works well with small things. I need multiple devices so I can record myself using another device. It's also great when you have a problem with one phone—you can just try a different device. If a battery is dead in one phone, pick up the other.
Because they are Apple products and share an Apple ID and are on the same Wi-Fi, my messages and calls go to any of these devices and I can answer from any of them.
📶 My Carrier: Mint Mobile
I use Mint Mobile, which is now owned by T-Mobile. It's essentially T-Mobile's prepaid service.
Mint Mobile uses eSIMs, which means to establish service you only need to be on Wi-Fi and download the Mint Mobile app. Using an unlocked device, it can activate your service over the Internet. No physical SIM card needed.
What's an eSIM? An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM that's built into your phone. Instead of inserting a physical SIM card, you download your carrier's profile directly to your device. It's faster, more convenient, and perfect for unlocked phones.
If you'd like to save some money, get great service, and help me pay my bill, use my affiliate link below. You'll get $15 off any 3-month plan with code 15NOW at checkout, plus $15 in renewal credit to use later.
💻 My iPad
I use an eight-year-old base iPad, 32GB. My brother let me borrow it, and I use it pretty much exclusively for iOS development.
I do my development in an app called Swift Playgrounds for iPad. It's not available on the iPhone. It's a free piece of software provided by Apple. Originally created just to introduce people to coding, you can now write fully functional apps with it and submit them to the App Store.
🤖 My AI Assistant
I use Claude as an assistant programmer. I pay $20 a month for the privilege. It's a fantastic assistant who is even writing the code for this page now.
All of my software recommendations now come from artificial intelligence. I need to find software that works well with VoiceOver. Artificial intelligence is great for things like that.
🌐 My Web Host: IONOS
For my website, www.gruver.tech, I use a web host named IONOS. It's a great web host with excellent VoiceOver compatibility. It was recommended by artificial intelligence.
If you want your own website, you can use my link to help me pay for my service and you'll receive a discount on yours.
📁 File Management: FE File Explorer Pro
I rely heavily on FE File Explorer Pro. This is one of the most important apps in my entire workflow and I can't say enough good things about it.
It works beautifully with VoiceOver on both iPhone and iPad. I use it to connect directly to my web server, which means my entire website becomes cloud storage that I control. I can browse my server's directory structure, create new files and folders, and edit files directly from my phone.
My workflow is simple: Claude writes the code, I copy it, and I paste it directly into the file on my server using FE File Explorer. That's it. No laptop required. No desktop required. Just an iPhone, an AI, and this app.
I believe one server connection is free. Multiple connections require a paid upgrade. I paid for the pro version because I use it constantly and I believe in supporting developers who build tools that actually work with VoiceOver.
✏️ Code Editing on iPhone: Runestone
For editing code on the iPhone, I recommend a product called Runestone. This is free software that has an in-app purchase to the pro version. Of course I bought the pro version. Again, I believe in supporting software developers.